Ventilla Health Center in Inquisivi Strengthened with Dental Equipment Delivered by Straumann Group and Suyana Foundation Bolivia

The official handover ceremony took place for the dental equipment donated by the Straumann Group Foundation, coordinated through Suyana Foundation, along with the signing of the specific agreement for the operation of the dental office at the Ventilla Health Establishment, in the municipality of Inquisivi. This milestone will help strengthen timely, quality access to oral health services for the population in the coverage area.

A response to a significant geographic barrier

The Ventilla Health Establishment provides coverage to more than 3,000 residents across the communities of Ventilla, Chillcani, Challviri, Frutillani, Chuallani, Quillimapa, and Totaba, as well as their respective schools, serving a population that lives in rural areas with limited access.

Before this service was available, the establishment had no dental care, forcing the population in its catchment area to travel to the nearest health center offering this service, located 8 km away. With no public transportation available in the area, this trip had to be made on foot, taking an estimated three hours each way — a significant geographic and economic barrier that meant losing a full workday or school day just to attend a single appointment.

With the dental office now up and running, children, adolescents, young people, and adults from the seven communities will be able to access permanent dental services in their own municipality.

A joint effort among multiple stakeholders

The implementation of the dental office is the result of coordinated work between the Autonomous Municipal Government of Inquisivi, Suyana Foundation, and the Straumann Group Foundation.

Suyana Foundation delivered the dental equipment donated by the Straumann Group Foundation, which included a dental chair with its main accessories — a curing light and an ultrasonic system — an air compressor, a sterilization unit (autoclave), and a complete set of dental instruments.

The Autonomous Municipal Government of Inquisivi fulfilled its counterpart commitments, including adapting the infrastructure, providing furniture, procuring dental supplies, and hiring a dental professional. The mayor also reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to ensuring the dental office’s long-term sustainability and expressed plans to further expand the health facility’s infrastructure in the future.

A service already up and running

Thanks to this contribution, the Ventilla Health Establishment immediately began providing dental services, significantly expanding the resolution capacity of primary-level care. Municipal authorities, health staff, and the beneficiary population expressed their gratitude to the Straumann Group Foundation for its donation and to Suyana Foundation for making this initiative possible, noting that this support will help improve access to oral health services, promote the prevention of oral disease, and improve the quality of life of families in the beneficiary communities.